ONEONTA, N.Y. – The Hartwick College Athletics Department is proud to announce its 2026 Hall of Fame class, featuring five outstanding individuals and one legendary team whose accomplishments have left a lasting mark on the rich history and tradition of Hartwick athletics.
The 2026 class marks the 31st Hall of Fame induction class and will be honored during True Blue Weekend on Saturday, Sept. 26. The ceremony will serve as a centerpiece of a special weekend celebrating Hartwick athletics with alumni, family, friends and supporters from across the community.
This year's class features field hockey standout Kelsey Kimble '13, swimming and diving All-American Chris Maiello '02, track and field standout Lisa Schmidt '86, men's lacrosse All-American Scott Goldberg '96, men's basketball standout Tom Hendricks '88, and the 1973-74 Men's Basketball Team, one of the most accomplished squads in program history.
"The Hartwick Athletics Hall of Fame exists to celebrate the individuals and teams who have shaped the proud tradition of our department, and this year's class is a tremendous reflection of that legacy," said Paul Vecchio, Executive Director of Athletics. "Their achievements, both during their time on Oyaron Hill and beyond, speak to the excellence and character that define Hartwick Athletics. We are honored to recognize their contributions and excited to celebrate alongside them, their families, and our alumni community during True Blue Weekend."
Kimble established herself as one of the most dynamic offensive players in Hartwick field hockey history, making an immediate impact as a first-year student and developing into one of the program's all-time greats. A four-year standout, she totaled 94 points on 38 goals and 18 assists in 72 career games, ranking among the most productive players in program history.
After earning Empire 8 Rookie of the Year honors in 2009, Kimble continued her rise with two NFHCA North Atlantic Region First Team selections, two Empire 8 First Team honors and back-to-back Team MVP awards in 2011 and 2012. She concluded her career as Hartwick's NCAA Woman of the Year nominee and a participant in the NFHCA Senior All-Star Game. At the time of her induction, Kimble ranks sixth in program history in both career points and goals.
Chris Maiello adds another chapter to the rich tradition of Hartwick swimming and diving as one of the most accomplished freestyle swimmers in program history. A two-time season high point scorer, he excelled at the conference and national levels, earning All-America honors in the 200-yard freestyle in 2000-01 and collecting three additional Honorable Mention All-America honors throughout his career.
A dominant performer in Empire 8 competition, Maiello captured conference championships in the 200-yard freestyle in consecutive seasons and added a title in the 100-yard freestyle as a senior. Upon graduation, he held school records in the 100-, 200-, and 500-yard freestyle events and several of those records still rank among the best in program history.
Lisa Schmidt becomes the first track and field student-athlete inducted into the Hall of Fame since the program's reinstatement in 2018. One of the premier distance runners in Hartwick history, Schmidt earned All-America honors in the 10,000-meter run at the 1985 NCAA Outdoor Championships with a time of 38:01.09.
She qualified for the NCAA Championships in both 1985 and 1986, establishing herself among the nation's top distance runners. Schmidt also posted a fifth-place finish in the 3,000-meter run at the 1984 NYAIAW Indoor Championships and was awarded Hartwick's prestigious M. Beal Banks Award in 1986 for her achievements on and off the track.
Scott Goldberg was a driving force during one of the most successful eras in Hartwick men's lacrosse history while competing in the highly competitive Super Six Conference. A relentless and hard-nosed midfielder, he amassed 199 ground balls and 37 goals while helping the Hawks compile a 39-20 record during his four-year career.
His all-around impact earned consecutive USILA Third Team All-America honors in 1995 and 1996, along with back-to-back Empire Athletic Association First Team selections. Goldberg's career was highlighted by an ECAC Championship in 1994, an NCAA Tournament appearance in 1995 and selection to the prestigious North-South Senior All-Star Game following his senior season.
Tom Hendricks provided a consistent offensive spark throughout his three-year Hartwick career after transferring from Hamilton College. One of the most prolific scorers of his era, he surpassed the 1,000-point mark in just three seasons and finished his career with 1,124 points, 365 rebounds and 181 assists.
His finest season came in 1987-88, when he averaged 14.6 points per game while helping lead Hartwick to a 23-6 record and the only NCAA Final Four appearance in program history. Hendricks guided the team to 57 victories and three postseason appearances during his career, cementing his place among the program's all-time greats.
Headlining the class is the 1973-74 men's basketball team, one of the most accomplished squads in Hartwick history. Guided by legendary head coach Dr. Roy Chipman and Hall of Famer Nick Lambros '71, the squad compiled a remarkable 23-4 campaign and established itself as one of the premier teams in the region.
The team opened the season with nine consecutive victories while capturing both the Potsdam Tournament and Bryant Christmas Tournament championships. Their consistency and resilience were evident throughout the year, suffering just three regular-season losses, none by more than six points.
Hartwick earned a berth in the NCAA Division II Tournament and opened postseason play with an 81-72 victory over Siena before falling to eventual national champion Morgan State in a hard-fought regional contest. The season helped solidify Hartwick's standing as a regional basketball powerhouse and remains one of the defining campaigns in program history.
The Hall of Fame induction ceremony will take place on Saturday, Sept. 26, during True Blue Weekend. The event will celebrate these distinguished inductees and recognize their lasting contributions to the success, tradition and excellence of Hartwick athletics.
About Hartwick College:
Hartwick, often referred to as The Life Balance College, is a private liberal arts and sciences institution in Oneonta, N.Y. Through its distinctive FlightPath approach, Hartwick blends academic excellence, career preparation and an active campus life to help students achieve a balanced and fulfilling college experience. With transparent tuition and a focus on health and wellness, Hartwick prepares students for lifelong success—both professionally and personally.
